One of the great mavericks of cinema, John Cassavetes has earned a reputation as the godfather of American independent movies. The actor-turned-filmmaker invented a realist style of unadorned narrative films heavily influenced by documentaries. This in-depth analysis of Cassavetes' life and work features interviews with key collaborators and ensemble regulars, and explores the making of classics like "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie," "Opening Night" and "A Woman Under the Influence."
Direction
Kiselyak lets the interviews breathe like Cassavetes would — messy, human, alive.
Production
Archive footage so intimate it feels like trespassing in someone's soul.
Director
Charles Kiselyak
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Cassavetes mortgaged his own home to finance 'Faces' in 1968, then did it again for 'Husbands' in 1970 — the same house, double jeopardy.
This documentary essentially argues that every 'indie film' since 1980 owes Cassavetes rent money — and it's annoyingly correct.
US
